Top 10 Motorcycles at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering 2018
As chosen by yours truly
We already ran an article about the winners from the 2018 Quail Motorcycle Gathering and our impressions from being there, so let’s take a look at my own personal list of bike’s that I think deserve an extra shoutout. Here are the top 10 motorcycles at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering as I see it in no specific order.
Disclaimer: They were all rad. It’s difficult to distill it down to 10, so just enjoy the pretty bikes.
1968 Ducati 250 Narrow Case, Built by Analog Cycles of Illinois
Analog Cycles brought this custom 1968 Ducati 250 all the way from Illinois to showcase it at the Quail. It was no big surprise when the motorcycle ended up winning the Style and Design Award during the show. This work of art uses a Moto3 prototype chassis which has been modified to house the 1968 Ducati 250 narrow case engine. A much deserved award winner.
1974 Hercules W-2000
Designed in the late 1960s, the Hercules W-2000 is a German motorcycle using a Wankel rotary engine. The engine was originally designed in 1929 by Felix Wankel and later licensed by Sachs as a snowmobile engine however, it ended up being used by Hercules in the W-2000. Other motorcycle manufacturers to use Wankel engines include Norton and Suzuki. You could also find Wankel engines in Mazdas up until 2012.
1918 BSA Model H
The Model H from the Birmingham Small Arms Company dates back to even before Brasfield’s childhood. The Model H, an upspec-ed version of the original Model K, was cranking 4.5 hp out of a 557cc single-cylinder engine and even had an iteration developed to be used with a sidecar. To think people complain about the Ural’s power numbers!
1933 Sunbeam Model 9 500cc with wicker sidecar
The 1933 Sunbeam Model 9 was built after the British company’s heyday in the mid-20s although looking at this meticulously restored example you’d never know it. Sunbeam was originally viewed as a premium motorcycle in England and also enjoyed success at the Isle of Man TT in 1928 & ‘29. The wicker sidecar included with this beaut is really what did it for me.
Curtiss Motorcycles Zeus Concept
Again, no big surprise that Curtiss took home the Most Innovative Motorcycle Award for its Zeus Concept ebike. Formerly known as Confederate Motorcycles, Curtiss Motorcycles is the new name with a new outlook. The Curtiss Warhawk will be the company’s first and last I.C.E. bike as the Zeus concept ushers in the company’s new vision, which is all electric. Curtiss calls the Zeus Concept the All-Electric Hot Rod God and the world’s first E-Twin motorcycle. E-Twin means the machined aluminum chassis houses a dual-motor platform which, in partnership with Zero Motorcycles, consists of two Zero electric motors with a single output shaft. Performance numbers have been quoted at 170 hp and an unbelievable, and perhaps uncontrollable, 290 lb-ft of torque. After having recently ridden the DSR, I can only imagine what it would be like to ride this beast. The current battery pack is a 14.4 kWh battery (likely from Zero), yet Curtiss plans to have a larger battery when production begins.
Henderson Motorcycle Co.
In 1911 the Henderson Motorcycle Co was formed right here in the good ol U.S. of A. specifically in the motor city of Detroit. The company became known to produce some of the fastest of the time and therefore were used by speed junkies and police departments throughout the U.S. The Henderson’s long wheelbase and inline-four cylinder engines became synonymous with the brand from 1912 till 1931 when the great depression forced what was at that point the Schwinn-owned Excelsior-Henderson brand, to cease operations.
1960 Harley-Davidson Super 10
The immaculate H-D Super 10 above won the Industry Award at the Quail though I’m not entirely sure what that means. I’m sure it was deserving of such an accolade. This 165cc single was a showstopper. From every angle the build was pristine. And I checked. From every angle.
1977 Laverda 1200 Jota America
This disco-inferno loving Italian is a hopped up version of what was already fairly hopped up at the time of production. Laverda was known for creating performance motorcycles and, at the time, stunned the industry when the production version of the bike above hit 146 mph. What can I say, I’m a sucker for a Triple.
Batman & Robin’s Batcycle
Built around a 1966 Yamaha YDS3, the Batcycle is rad. Enough said.
1927 BMW R42
You really don’t understand how difficult this is. Even after choosing 10 bikes to include in this list, everytime I look through the photos there’s something else I want to include. I’ve always loved the look of these BMW motorcycles. One day, I hope to own one; though with production only spanning three years, it might be difficult.
Ryan’s time in the motorcycle industry has revolved around sales and marketing prior to landing a gig at Motorcycle.com. An avid motorcyclist, interested in all shapes, sizes, and colors of motorized two-wheeled vehicles, Ryan brings a young, passionate enthusiasm to the digital pages of MO.
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I don't think the Henderson is a flat four but an inline four mounted vertically and longitudinally. A flat four would be like the first BMW fours, the brick.
You picked an excellent variety of bikes; interesting and unique for a variety of reasons. The Hercules rotary is my favorite just because it's so weird. It looks like it could be a turbine powered bike. The Curtis bike is also cool, but it's too bad they'll never make a bike anyone other than 1%'s can afford. At least they ditched that stupid "Confederate" name and all the baggage that goes along with it.